National Conference on HIV/AIDS

[Guest guest]

Preliminary Proposal for National Conference on HIV/AIDS

Introduction:

The problem of AIDS is being seriously tackled with international cooperation on

all fronts over the entire globe. The outcome of these sustained and persistent

efforts is encouraging. In the course of various international deliberations on

this topic it has been suggested that Regional and National efforts are very

important and necessary for effective local actions for spreading public

awareness and involvement of people to prevent HIV / AIDS incidence.

This valuable suggestion has been seriously taken up by Shri Kirit Somaiya, MP.

Accordingly the leading academicians, NGOs, Government and semi government

agencies, medical institutes, industries and important individuals were

consulted on this issue. It is encouraging to note that one and all those who

were contacted gave very enthusiastic and positive response in favor of

organizing the National Conference on this vital subject.

It has been envisaged that the conference will be a unique interdisciplinary

mega event first of its kind in the Indian subcontinent. An achievable target of

1000 –1200 participants and delegates is ear marked.

For the success of this serious mega task international guidance and assistance

is a must. Therefore, As a first step to receive an international guidance and

help this Preliminary Proposal for National Conference on HIV/AIDS is prepared.

The promoters of this proposal sincerely hope that the international leaders in

this field will appreciate the efforts being made in this part of the globe and

give all the necessary help and cooperation for the success of the first ever

event of this kind.

Theme:

Organizing National conference in Mumbai for Information, Involvement and

Inspiration for Action to Spread public awareness and prevent HIV / AIDS

incidence

Subject:

Incidence of HIV / AIDS, common persons, Experts, leaders, Media, social

workers, societal commitment and public participation with involvement for

relief and rehabilitation.

Objective:

To organize state of art conference of international standard to bring to gather

educated people, Medical Research professionals and Media people to understand

the scientifically correct current status on all aspects of HIV & AIDS and

obtain factual knowledge about the ground realities in India.

Justification:

At International level as well as Asia Pacific level AIDS conferences have been

organized in the past however no such conference has yet been planned and held

on the National level. In the international conference the Indian people do not

get appropriate platform to present there views effectively. Our National

perspective, social - cultural background and practical experience about this

grave problem is obviously different from the mixed global scenario. In the

light of this fact it is relevant to have a National conference on the subject.

Background and credentials of the promoters:

Shri Kirit Somaiya, MP & President Yuvak Pratishthan

Dr. Subhash Hira, Director, ARCON

Mr. K. Vaidyanathan, Project Director, AVERT Society

Dr. Vijaykumar L. Kulkarni, MSACS

Dr. B.R. Shende, MSACS

YUVAK PRATISHTHAN :

Yuvak Pratishthan is an active NGO for past 20 years working in different filed

related to health, slums, beautification, sports etc. It has been working for

AIDS awareness and has organised symposiums and conferences. It has to its

credit an international conference organised in association with ICMR and other

such organisations.

In December last, a National NGO Meet was organised in Mumbai, in which 45

different NGOs participated. Besides this there have been many awareness

programmes specifically for College Students and Women.

Participants:

List of participants who were contacted and who gave very enthusiastic and

positive response in favor of organizing the National Conference is enclosed

herewith.

Event organization:

Sponsor: NACO, Central and State Govt. Health Ministry & Pharmaceutical firms.

Participants:

About 1000 to 1500 persons that will include Medical & research professionals,

Sociologists, NGO, media and other interested literate persons. Emphasis will be

more on participants from Maharashtra and other five most affected states

besides representatives from different parts of India.

Venue:

Mumbai is an international mega city with all the requisite world-class

facilities for organizing important conferences. The city is easily accessible.

The city has elite population as well as high proportion of ill population with

incidence of HIV / AIDS rich sponsors, devoted NGOs, committed social workers,

alert media and research minded medical community abound in this mega city. This

much qualification appears enough to honor the city with privilege of hosting

this National Conference.

Programme:

This will include presentation of research papers, poster presentations,

exhibition, film show, Case studies and other experience based findings of

practical relevance, speeches, dialogue and discussions, Question –Answer

session. The exact details of the programme will be finalized in consultation

with the organizing committee that is being formed.

Tentative dates:

18 – 20 January 2003. Duration: Three days.

Initial tasks:

The following work is being carried out: Contact and communication with various

individuals, forums and organizations for active participation, cooperation and

help Formulate organizing committee and give responsibilities. Finalizing the

date and precise venue of conference Obtain necessary Government permissions,

guidelines and support Identifying sponsors and resource persons

Budget preparation and provision of funds

Final outcome:

It is hoped that the National Conference for Information, Involvement and

Inspiration for action to Spread public awareness and prevent HIV / AIDS

incidence will achieve its set objectives.

The important expected outcomes are:

· State of art current information report on the subject

· Evolving acceptable public campaign material

· Rationalization of policies and approach

· Practical guidelines and programmes for action

· Evolving applicable methodology

· Solutions to the problems emerged in the society due to Incidence of HIV /

AIDS

· Role of media and its involvement

· Motivation for active public participation

·Funds and resource generation for of HIV / AIDS affected families, individuals

& orphans

· Future course of action

List of Participants (Approached)

Asha Project, Mumbai

Apne Aap Women’s Collective, Mumbai

ARPAN, Gujarat

Drishtikon, New Delhi

Naaz Foundation, New Delhi

Niramay Arogya Dham, Solapur, Maharashtra

Durga Women’s Organisation, Tamil Nadu

Desterro Eves Mahila Mandal, Goa

Jyoti Sangh, Ahmedabad

FOGSI, Mumbai

_______________________

[Guest guest]

I think this is an excellent idea. I hope that this conference is intending to

embrace both prevention issues as well as treatment. A number of ideas spring to

mind that I wish to share for your consideration.

****In terms of prevention:

The use of public campaigns to teach about safer sex and risk reduction is

paramount. Discussing the shape of these would be helpful. Also discussing means

for disseminating condoms and water-based lubricant would be extremely

beneficial. Lubricant in India seems to be only available in rather large tubes

that are very costly. Latex condoms and water-based lubricant (without

nonoxynol-9) are the best method for reducing transmission during vaginal or

anal sex. Access to these relatively inexpensive interventions could greatly

curtail the burgeoning epidemic.

****In terms of treatment:

I hope that you will have a session that includes a state-of-the-art on

current antiviral guidelines. How can people in India be assured that they

are getting necessary bloodwork (e.g., CD4 count) to determine when to start?

This is followed by an important discussion on access and using local

industry, e.g., Cipla, Ranbaxy, Aurobindo, etc. to assure the lowest

possible prices domestically.

**Also--I humbly beseech the conference organizers to not neglect

traditional medicines. Ayurveda and Siddha medicine, as well as Unani and

Tibetan, may have significant benefits in terms of delaying progression,

managing symptoms and, as ARV becomes more widely available, managing the

side effects.

Knowing that ARV can certainly extend the lives of people with AIDS, please

know that it does NOT yet confer a normal lifespan. Indeed, my friends here

in the US are dying from side effects. So it is CRITICALLY important to include

the voices of practitioners of Indian traditional medicine in this process. I

think where they can use help is to a) more closely follow patients and chart

their progress as well as in developing more rigorous clinical methodology to

evaluate outcomes.

If there is any way I can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to let

me know.

M.

Director, FIAR

http://aidsinfonyc.org/fiar

E-mail: <gmc0@...>

_______________________

[Guest guest]

Dear friends,

Re; " Preliminary Proposal for National Conference on HIV/AIDS " . This is a

wonderful initiative and my compliments to those who are moderating the

discussion around this conference. I will appreciate if there can be a larger

focus of female initiated prevention options, moreso because the research

clinical trials of Microbicides product leads are about to enter phase III in

India now.

regards, bobby

E-mail: bobbyramakant@...

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